I would like to here everybodys comments on the best bass boats for rough water on the great lakes? Lets here it all.
Your going to open a can of worms here... ;D
I am going to say the new Bass Cat Jaguar would be the best all around Bass Boat for the great lakes.....
Seriously though from what I have seen it is more about the driver than the boat...It seems that everyone makes good boats nowadays...
Z21 Ranger with a 250 Yamaha HPDI
Fishing from the Co side I get to ride in alot of different boats and the best ride in rough water in my opinion is a Champion, second Bass Cat Jaguar, and third Ranger.
On the other side the most back breaking and wettest wave spearing rides in rough water have been in nitros, and second skeeters.
You'll get 50 different answers to that question. The driver and prop has a lot to do with how the boat will handle in rough water, so don't let one bad experience scare you away from a particular brand. Check out the boat owners forums on bass boat central, you can get a good gauge on the different boats problems. FYI Champion has been owned by gemnar the last few years.
-Matt
I also include safe fishability in rough water, which means a flatter, more stable platform that doesn't roll excessively, not just the ride. Hopefully spend more time fishing than driving. Some boats are easier to stay standing than others in the waves.
I figured that might get something started. I myself own a 202 blazer and love the boat. I fished out of Elizabeth Park Sat. and Sun. we didnt get wet but i really got a work out keeping dry. I was just wondering if its any easier in other rides. I like my boat and dont know if im ready to switch brands or stay with the blazer. I like the speed ya know. Ill keep an eye on the board and see if i learn anything.
Here are some pictures of the Jag that is sitting at Sherm's marine..There is a side by side comparison of the Jag sitting next to a Cougar FTD..The Cougar FTD is a 20' 4" boat so you get an idea on how massive the Jag is....Initial Performance numbers have the Jag running in the high 70s...I would be willing to bet that the rough water ride will be awesome....
Notice the 8 Ft rod lockers for the Co-angler...The tackle storage system is awesome, I just don't want to lock up the site with too many pictures....
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Your question wasn't what the best bass boat is for the great lakes, you asked what is the best boat. Well in the last BFL I fished as a co out of a Ranger620 fisherman. Not that it was a Ranger but it is a Walleye boat. We passed the bass boats and the ride was smooth and DRY. It isn't the fastest boat until you get in the rougher water then they out perform ANY bass boat. Another advantage is they have lots of room. I have a ranger bass boat now but if I look for another boat it will be the walleye style.
REELMAN
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There are only 3 choices for rough water bass boats: Bass Cat; Legend Custom Bass Boats and some Ranger models (including Fishermen Series/ walleye rigs).
I love my Legend, it is a great rough water ride.
JC
I have a 2004 Skeeter FX210. It handles the big water just fine. It is a dry ride, which is very impotant on big water. I am very confident in the capabilities of my boat and have had it in very extreme conditions. St. Clair is my home water so I see my share of weather and tuna boat conditions.
The real answer to your question is "none". Bass boats aren't designed for great lakes fishing. Not that it can't or shouldn't be done, but you need to respect the limitations of your ride.
The best big water rides are the walleye or multi-species boats. They are designed to handle much bigger water than a bass boat; but they do give up shallow water fishability and maneuverability. But you can take some of the design cues from walleye boats to pick out a better functioning bass boat.
Size is the first factor. Bigger is better; you can do the great lakes with smaller rides, but I wouldn't be in any less than a 21 footer. A longer craft spans swells better.
Then consider deadrise. That's the angle of the underside of the bow. A sharper deadrise cuts waves better in general; you get less "slap" when you come down on a swell. Some will tell you to avoid faster hulls, and that hull weight makes the biggest difference in rough water rides. Champions have a good reputation in rough water because of their sharp deadrise, but so does a 21 foot bullet. Which by the way is a suprisingly good big water ride.
For fishability, it's a compromise. Hulls that ride higher in the water protect you better from waves, but have a greater "sail" effect in the wind. Bass boats that have an outward flare at the gunnel with a sharp bow deadrise cut waves better & keep swells off the deck.
How you equip it makes a big difference too. Max the HP, you can never have enough power on hand when your driving big swells. Think about it; it's the only time your boat ever "climbs" uphill. And put on a hot foot. You need both hands on the wheel to drive the big swells. You also cannot get on or off the throttle as fast with a hand control.
Get a hydraulic jackplate. The bigger the swells, the greater chance your prop will break free. You lose bite, you lose control. With a hydraulic JP you can get that prop deeper while still being able to change trim angle.
The TM needs to be a deep shaft too. 24V minimum, you can never have enough power in big wind.
But most important, learn to drive the big water. Guys will brag on how different hulls are better than others, but it's all hogwash. The driver make the biggest difference. I've been in "good" big water hulls with some bad drivers, and it sucked. I've also been in some pretty rough stuff in "fast" hulls with a good driver; never felt a drop hit me. Sit up in that seat, get both hands on the wheel with your elbows up, and drive that sucker.
I'm in a 2000 TR-21, not exactly a great rough water hull design. But my equipment includes a 250+ hp merc with a 4 blade trophy for lots of lift and good bite. It's hung on an 8 inch hydraulic JP; turn signal controls for both the trim and JP. Also, a set of hydraulic trim tabs. And the newer triton SRS "sprung" seats. With the set up and a good driver, she makes an OK big water ride.
But a Bullet 21XDC is lookin' mighty fine sometime in the future... 8)